Cava

Cava is Spain's traditional method sparkling wine produced primarily in the Penedes region of Catalonia from indigenous grape varieties including Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo, undergoing its second fermentation in the bottle. Like Champagne, Cava spends a minimum of 9 months ageing on the lees before disgorgement, with Gran Reserva styles requiring 30 months. Major producers including Codorniu (founded 1551) and Freixenet are among the world's largest sparkling wine houses.